Bathroom clog



Oct. 17, 1939. GRQSSMAN AL 2,176,570

BATHROOM CLOG Filed Jan. 20, 1938 21 Q E 21 \E g 17 k W Patented Oct. 17, 1939 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE BATHRO OM CLOG Application January 20 2 Claims.

This invention relates to a bathroom clog and has special reference to a device for wear to keep the feet from contact with a wet surface such as in bathrooms, showers, and the like.

More particularly, this invention relates to a bath-room clog comprising an imperforate metal plate having a smooth uninterrupted face and conforming in outline substantially to the human foot for direct contact therewith and having a substantially rigid body portion fixed to and supporting said plate for contact with the floor and for elevating the plate substantially thereabove.

The present invention contemplates the use of a substantially rigid body portion with a metal plate which will retain no moisture and consequently will harbor no organisms which may infect the foot of the wearer. For example, athletes foot is caused by an organism known as the trichophyton and this organism can survive in moist environments only. Consequently, the organism is present in showers, bathtubs and on bathroom floors. These are places where athletes foot is usually contracted and while the condition is cured by a great variety of preparations, reinfection is usually prompt upon subsequent contact with wet floors.

Applicant has knowledge of various types of bathroom clogs which have been worn in an attempt to keep the foot from contact with a wet surface covered with the above-mentioned organisms but so far as applicant is aware these clogs have been formed of wood or rubber and such materials retain moisture almost indefinite- 1y. Under these conditions the trichophyton is 1 invariably present after having once been harbored therein with the result that instead of providing protection against athletes foot, such clogs actually become a source of infection.

The present invention, therefore, has for an object thereof to provide a bathroom clog which will overcome the objections above recited in connection with wood, rubber or similar porous materials in the provision of an imperforate metal plate having a smooth uninterrupted face for directly contacting the foot of the wearer, the plate being preferably of non-corrosive metal and having the characteristic of drying rapidly, therefore retaining no moisture and consequently no organisms.

Other objects and advantages of this invention will hereinafter be more particularly pointed out and for a more complete understanding of the characteristic features of this invention, reference may now be had to the following description 1938, Serial No. 185,828 (01. 36-115 when taken together with the accompanying drawing, in which latter:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a. bathroom clog incorporating the features of this invention;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged vertical sectional view taken on the line 2-2 of Fig. l; and

Fig. 3 is a View similar to Fig. 2 of a modified form of bathroom clog incorporating the features of this invention.

Referring now more particularly to Figs. 1 and 2 of the drawing, the device of this invention is shown as comprising a substantially rigid body portion It which is formed of wood or rubber which, in the instance of the drawing, is shown as conforming in outline substantially to the human foot and resembling the lower part of a shoehaving a heel portion l l and a sole portion l2. While this body portion is shown as being of a single solid block of material, it is, of course, to be understood that the body portion may be composed of several elements connected together to form an integral whole.

A plate l3 of metal, preferably a non-corrosive metal, is disposed on the upper surface of the body portion II] for direct contact with the foot of a wearer. The metal plate is preferably formed of sheet metal in this particular instance and is smooth and uninterrupted over the whole surface thereof. By this is meant that there are no abrupt depressions or protruberances providing lodging places for foreign matters. As an example, were the metal plate provided with relatively narrow depressions or protruberances it is quite possible that foreign matter, such as lint, dirt, and the like, may lodge therein and be hard to keep clean, this foreign matter acting in effect like a sponge to retain moisture.

The surface of the metal plate may conform more or less to the shape of the foot, that is, the, portion of the plate adjacent the arch being raised with well-rounded depressions for accommodating the heel and the ball of the foot. However, these projections and depressions merely effect a desired fit of the foot for purposes of comfort, yet the surface retains a smooth uninterrupted face where foreign matters may not lodge.

Also the metal plate is imperforate so that the bottom of the foot of the wearer is wholly sealed from the rigid body portion. Perforations in the metal plate for any purpose whatsoever would permit the lodging of foreign matters which would retain moisture for indefinite periods and thus harbor organisms to infect the foot of the wearer.

Since the upper surface of the metal plate is smooth and uninterrupted it may be wiped clean and dried very rapidly so that there will be no moisture retained and, therefore, no organisms. That the metal is imperforate prevents seepage of moisture therethrough, as well as prevents accumulation of foreign matters which would retain moisture. The body portion is preferably made sufficiently high so that the metal plate is elevated above the normal expectancy of the moisture on the surface upon which the wearer walks.

A continuous flange I3 is preferably formed integrally with the metal plate and at substantially right angles thereto for enveloping the upper portion of the body portion i and for The determining the relative positions thereof. metal plate is fixed to'the body portion preferably in a permanent manner as, for example, by serrating and deforming a V-shaped cleat M from the material of the flange, the cleat being driven into the material of the main body portion. It is, of course, obvious that a continuous flange need not be employed for the purposes of afiixing the two members together and that the \.'-shaped cleats may be formed from the upper plate alone or other means may be employed so long as they do not interrupt the smooth imperforate upper surface of the plate. It is preferable, however, to have the flange a continuous one and integral with the plate since a more eificient seal of the body portion from the foot of the wearer is effected.

Referring now more particularly to Fig. 3 of the drawing, the modified structure therein shown comprises an imperforate metal plate 15 which, in the present instance, is preferably formed of a casting. The upper surface of the cast metal plate is smooth and uninterrupted and conforms in outline substantially to the human foot for direct contact therewith. Since the external appearance of the modified form of clog shown in Fig. 3 would be identical with the view in Fig. I it has not been thought to be necessary to duplicate Fig. 1.

,A continuous flange It depends from the periphery of the plate E5 to form in effect a recess for receiving the upper end of a main. body portion ll which in the instance of. the drawing is shown as beingv formed of a casting. Since the plate l5 and. the body portion I! are formed of metal castings and have together a substantial depth, it is desirable that the construction be made as light in weight as possible. Therefore, the body portion H is relieved of as much metal as possible and the housing thus formed should be reinforced to a desired degree to support the weight of the body of the wearer without endangering breakage thereof. The metal preferably used for this purpose is an aluminum alloy of very light weight and yet exceptionally strong.

The plate I5 is relatively thin and is preferably reinforced in a lateral direction by one or more ribs i8 and longitudinally by a rib l9 formed,

integrally therewith at the time the plate is cast. The body portion ll preferably comprises a base plate 29 having an upwardly extending peripheral flange 2! with a longitudinally extending rib 22 extending centrally and longitudinally thereof. One or more cross ribs 23 are shown as extending laterally of the body portion to be formed integrally with the body portion at the time the latter is cast.

While the construction of Fig. 3 is described as being an all-metal construction and preferably of a light weight aluminum alloy, it is only necessary for the most desirable results that the plate I5 be of metal. Thus the body portion I! may be formed of a cast, substantially hard, rubber block or other material which is substantially rigid and suitable for supporting the plate in an elevated condition.

Neither of the above constructions have been shown with means for holding the clog to the foot and this, of course, is entirely apart from the present invention. It is, of course, contemplated that toe and ankle straps be provided in the usual manner, the straps being attached to the body portion in each instance. The straps have been omitted from the showing so as to not confuse the invention involved in the application. This, however, is a matter that any skilled worker in the art may readily provide as desired. In the instance of the showing of Fig. 1, elastic straps may be fixedly attached to the wooden body portion of the clog or the ends of the adjustable straps may be fixedthereto. In the instance of the showing of Fig. 3, the casting of the body portion Il may have lugs cast integrally therewith to receive in fixed relation the ends of elastic or adjustable straps or ties.

While but two embodiments of this invention are herein shown and described, it is to be understood that various modifications thereof may be apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of this invention and, therefore, the same is only to be limited by the scope of the prior art and the appended claims.

We claim: 7 r

1 A- bathroom clog comprising an imperiorate metal plate having a smooth uninterrupted face and conforming. in outline substantially to the human foot for direct contact therewith, a substantially rigid body portion supporting said plate for contact with a floor and for elevating said plate substantially thereabove, and a flange formed integrally with said plate extending downwardly therefrom for attachment with said body portion for fixing said plate thereto.

2. A bathroom clog comprising an imperforate metal plate having a smooth uninterrupted face and. conforming in outline substantially to the human foot for direct contact therewith, a substantially rigid body portion fixed to and sup:- porting said plate for contact with a floor and for elevating said plate substantially. thereabove, a continuous flange extending from and formed integrally with said plate for enveloping the upper portion of said body portion and for'determi'ning the relative positions thereof, and means for fixing said plate and said body portion against displacement.

' ABRAHAM GROSSMAN.

JOSEPH GILBERT. 

